Australian Minister visits Dubai

14 November 2012

DUBAI, U.A.E., 14 November 2012 - The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, on Wednesday visited a number of Emirates airline and Dubai Airports facilities during a visit to Dubai.

During a tour of Emirates’ Aviation College, the Minister met with Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Flight Operations Captain Alan Stealey and Senior Vice Presiden, Safety, Henry Donohoe, who briefed him on the airline’s rigorous pilot and crew training and safety programmes. Later the Minister experienced firsthand a ‘flight’ in one of the airline’s Airbus A380 simulators with Australian pilot Captain Tim Anderson.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline & Group met with The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, on Wednesday during the Minister’s visit to Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline & Group met with The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, on Wednesday during the Minister’s visit to Dubai.

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (left) and Australian pilot Captain Tim Anderson take a ‘flight’ in one of the Emirates’ Airbus A380 simulators during the Minister’s visit to Dubai.

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (left) and Australian pilot Captain Tim Anderson take a ‘flight’ in one of the Emirates’ Airbus A380 simulators during the Minister’s visit to Dubai.

“I hope that Minister Albanese’s visit has given him an overview of how Emirates and Dubai operates and our commitment to training, safety and customer service,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

“Australia is a key growth market for Emirates, in 2013 we will be operating 84 flights a week to five points in Australia from Dubai. We believe our partnership with Qantas, pending regulatory approval, will further grow tourism to Australia from our expanding network, and will deliver the best frequent flyer program and customer experience for travellers both to and from Australia,” continued Sheikh Ahmed.

Emirates’ dedicated A380 concourse at Dubai International Airport, will be shared with Qantas who will begin flying through Dubai en-route to the London-Heathrow from Sydney and Melbourne.